MANKATO — A Mankato burglary investigation led to the discovery of thousands of grams of meth, cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and various hallucinogenic drugs, cash and drug distribution materials.
Gavin Lyon Harrison, 27, has been charged in Blue Earth County District Court with first-degree aggravated controlled substance crime, two counts each of first-degree controlled substance sale, second-degree controlled substance sale, first-degree controlled substance possession, second-degree controlled substance possession, first-degree cannabis possession, as well as threats of violence, second-degree burglary, fifth-degree controlled substance possession, damage to property and theft — 16 felony counts total.
Officers with the Mankato Department of Public Safety were dispatched July 14 to a report of a disturbance at a Mankato residence where two people told responding officers they believed Harrison had kicked in their front door, damaged property inside the home and stolen items, according to the criminal complaint.
They also reported receiving threatening text messages from Harrison and showed officers messages that included threats to kill one of the victims.
While officers were investigating, Harrison drove to the scene and spoke with officers, who report he made confusing and erratic statements, repeatedly admitted to kicking in the victims’ door, discussed an air fryer taken from the residence and displayed behavior that led officers to suspect he was under the influence of narcotics.
Harrison was arrested, and during a search incident to arrest, officers located a bag containing a white powdery substance that Harrison identified as ketamine. Police later obtained a search warrant for Harrison’s blood based on suspected impaired driving, and a blood sample was collected and submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis.
During the investigation at the victims’ residence, officers observed damage and a ski mask on the front porch.
While searching Harrison’s residence in connection with the burglary investigation, officers reportedly observed suspected narcotics and drug distribution materials in plain view. A second search warrant authorizing the seizure of narcotics and related evidence from the residence and Harrison’s vehicle.
According to the complaint, officers recovered about 58 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 134 grams of suspected cocaine, 126 grams of suspected ketamine, 120 dosage units of suspected LSD, suspected LSD tablets and liquid, 3,424 grams of suspected cannabis, 1,407 grams of THC concentrate and 653 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms.
Investigators also seized five digital scales, including one containing residue, numerous vacuum-seal bags and other drug packaging materials, a narcotics ledger, drug testing kits, boxes containing THC vape products, THC gummies, just under $3,000 in cash and mail belonging to one of the burglary victims.
Harrison will first go before the court on July 30 and authorities indicate additional charges may be filed.